When
the Riverbottom Nightmare Band got together five years ago,
few thought it would work. Culling its members from the ranks
of some of Orlando's busiest, most talented and at times most
volatile local bands, it seemed that RNB was predestined for
a short life span."It
was definitely considered a side project from the start,"
says David Schweizer, who plays guitar, harmonica, washboard
and also sings. "Nobody takes it really seriously, which
allows for an easy and fun experience for everyone. Brian, Ralph
and Jack have the Joint Chiefs [The Legendary JC's], and I've
got my own solo thing happening, yet this is the most solid
lineup we've had in years. We all seem to be finding time for
it."
If you've never had the pleasure of a Riverbottom Nightmare
Band show, you're in for a surprise. This tight-knit, well-versed
bluegrass combo plays the down-home, traditional standards you'd
expect to hear ("Fox on the Run," to name just one),
as well as some originals. But by broadening the typical bluegrass-band
arrangement to include drums and a washboard, RNB revs-up the
requisite tunes, giving them more drive and backbone. Even if
you're not a bluegrass fan at the beginning of a show, you'll
be a pickin'-and-grinnin' convert by the end.